engine on the other
track had gathered up its forces and followed after, and Theodore, by a
dint of coaxing, soothing and commanding the terror-stricken animals,
had succeeded in subduing them in part, and guiding the carriage up the
bank and quite across the network of tracks; then gathering the reins
in his hand he came to the carriage window and spoke, using in his
excitement the name familiar to him in the days when she had given him
his first lessons in writing.

"There is no cause for further alarm, Dora. I will see that you reach
home in safety."

Not one word to him did Dora utter; but she clasped her trembling hands,
and said with white lips:

"Thank God."

And the young man added reverently and meaningly: "Amen."

Then he sprang to the driver's seat, and uttered two short firm words to
the cowed and sober driver.

"Get down!"

Never was a command more promptly obeyed. There were five minutes yet
before the next train would be due, time enough to make his way
carefully along the uncertain road built only for iron horses; but the
peril had been too recent for the young man not to make eager haste, nor
did he draw a long full breath of relief until the last hated rail had
been crossed and the corner turned on the broad smooth avenue. It was a
nervous sort of a drive even then, for the horses had a torrent of
pent-up strength, and had not so entirely recovered from their terror
but that they were listening to every sound, looking right and left for
suspicious objects, and apparently on the _qui vive_ for an excuse for
running away. How Theodore blessed Rick, and the livery stable, and the
man who fifty years before had taken for his motto: "Learn everything
you possibly can about everything that can be learned," as with skillful
hand he guided the fidgety span carefully and safely through the maze of
cart and carriage and omnibus wheels that lined the streets. And even
then and there he laughed a half-nervous, half-amused laugh, as he
passed the Euclid House, and saw one of the waiters looking out at him
from a dining-room window; at the thought that that first burning
ambition of his life was at last gratified, and he was actually
occupying the coveted position of driver for the Hastings' carriage. The
contrasts which his life presented again struck him oddly, a few moments
after, when Mr. Hall, waiting to cross the street, recognized and
touched his hat to him, with a wondering, curious glance. Mr. Hal